PM Modi Unlikely to Attend Key ASEAN Summit in Malaysia Next Week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely won’t attend the Asean Summit in Malaysia next week due to a conflict in his schedule. He is expected to join virtually on October 26 instead.

Scheduling Conflicts Impact PM’s Travel Plans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi probably won’t travel to Malaysia next week. He will miss the Asean Summit due to scheduling issues and other factors. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed this on Wednesday. India has not yet formally announced its participation level at the important gathering.

The Asean Summit and associated meetings are scheduled for Kuala Lumpur. They will take place between October 26 and 28. This gathering was initially a potential place for a meeting. PM Modi and US President Donald Trump might have met there. Their bilateral ties are currently strained by trade issues.

Focus on Domestic Events and Virtual Participation

The Indian side has made no formal announcement yet. However, the anonymous sources mentioned the PM’s unlikely travel to Kuala Lumpur. The government’s immediate focus is the upcoming state assembly elections in Bihar. The PM is also set to participate in Chhath Puja celebrations next week.

A different source confirmed the Prime Minister will attend the India-Asean Summit. He will do this virtually via teleconference on October 26. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will participate in the East Asia Summit. His attendance is scheduled for October 27-28.

India-US Trade Talks Continue

Contacts between India and the US regarding a bilateral trade agreement have continued. Commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal visited the US last week for two days. Trump and Modi also had a phone conversation on Tuesday. Despite this, there are few signs of an immediate positive outcome. The people cited this lack of immediate tangible outcome as a factor. It played a role in deciding Modi’s travel plans for the Malaysia summit.

Preparations and Diplomatic Movements

The external affairs ministry had finished all preparations for a potential Malaysia visit. This included an advance recce. Malaysian officials had even announced Modi was scheduled to arrive. His arrival was set for Kuala Lumpur on October 26. Trump is expected to arrive in Malaysia on the 26th of October. He will then travel to Japan from October 27 to 29.

Commerce secretary Agrawal was recently the lead negotiator for the US trade deal. He finished two days of discussions with American officials. The atmosphere was described as cordial. Sources said this created pathways for constructive and mutually beneficial talks. Agrawal departed New Delhi on October 15 and returned on October 19. He went to Washington to join the trade talks delegation.

Trade Tensions and Continued Engagement

Officials confirm the two sides remain engaged. They are discussing the proposed bilateral trade agreement. India is committed to an agreement that benefits both nations. It must also protect Indian farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs.

Trump’s imposition of a 25% reciprocal tariff hit the India-US talks. He also levied a 25% punitive charge over Russian oil purchases. These 50% tariffs made most Indian goods too expensive in the US market. Negotiations for the trade deal paused after the fifth round in late August. Discussions restarted on September 16. US assistant trade representative Brendan Lynch held talks in New Delhi.

Recent High-Level Contact

Modi and Trump have spoken by phone three times since September 16. US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor visited New Delhi recently. This was part of efforts to repair ties. Months of tension over trade and tariffs preceded his visit.

Trump told White House reporters on Wednesday about his Tuesday call. He and Modi discussed trade, he stated. He repeated his earlier claim. He said India would not “buy much oil from Russia.” Modi posted on social media about the call. He said Trump extended Diwali greetings. The two nations were united against terrorism, he added. He made no mention of trade in his post.